What Happens After a Juvenile Arrest

›››The following content is an excerpt from a live interview with Richard Jacobs founder of my DUI Attorney dot org. The interview has been transcribed and contains information for educational purposes only. Please call Michael Munoz to get legal advice for your particular situation

Munoz: If they’re arrested they’re going be processed in accordance with whatever the police department policy is. Yes, the parents are going to be called at some point. Usually in most juvenile cases an attempt is made to call the guardian or the parents of the juvenile as soon as possible. Essentially the guardian or the parent is responsible for that juvenile at all times. That is something that will likely happen.

My advice to all parents is that if you get a call that your son or daughter is in trouble, you need to find representation as soon as possible. If the police are alleging that your son or daughter has committed a very serious offense, then you need someone to help you mitigate whatever the police are investigating. This can be very serious.

Juveniles May Be Tried As An Adult

The juvenile could face possible incarceration time and depending on their offense they can be incarcerated until they’re 18 years of age. In some cases a juvenile can actually be tried as an adult.

Will Your Juvenile Need A Bail Bond?

Interviewer: Are juveniles subject to the same bonding process? When they have a bail bond and they have to pay it to be released?

Munoz: Yes, that’s possible. The juvenile system does mirror the adult system that if a judge decides there needs to be released conditions like a bond then the parents would have to post that bond. In some cases the judge can order the juvenile be held in a detention facility until their first court date. All of that is possible.

Interviewer: What are some of the most common crimes that juveniles commit versus adults? Are they any different or is it the same?

Common Juvenile Offenses

Munoz: They’re wide ranging but the most common offenses are usually offenses where a juvenile commits a crime while at school. That can be wide ranging, to include alcohol offenses, offenses that involve the possession of drugs, the sale of drugs, and you could also see assaults, maybe fights at school or outside of school.

Every once in a while you will see domestic violence offenses, where a juvenile is accused of hitting his or her girlfriend or boyfriend. So it is wide ranging. I mean there are really many types of offenses that a juvenile could be charged with. I’d say the most common juvenile offenses though are going to involve drugs and alcohol.

Interviewer: Yes, the kids that just wanted to have fun, drink, or things like that.

Munoz: Exactly.

By Michael Munoz